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Campbell’s Pork and Beans….

Rep. John Campbell has termed the new spending resolution passed by the House as Nancy Pelosi’s “Pork and Defeat” bill.Ã‚Â And he’s probably right that it won’t pass the Senate and should it, it will likely get a rare presidential veto from W.

Why doesn’t Campbell support the troops?Ã‚Â Here’s a guy who’s voted yes on a number of Republican friendly earmark-laden bills. Pelosi comes up with the bill that supports wounded veterans, makes sure the troops are properly trained before going to war (based on Defense Department Standards), and followed guidelines set forth by the president himself for progress in Iraq by the new Iraqi government.Ã‚Â So if not this bill Congressman, then what?Ã‚Â Stay the course only gets more of our men and woman killed and for what?Ã‚Â Ã‚Â

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on a separate note, please Jon Fleischman, stop videotaping interviews with Republican presidential candidates.Ã‚Â Its been humorous to watch you express glee over your new toy and put it to use videotaping your interviews with Rudy and Mitt.Ã‚Â

Please stop.Ã‚Â

The softball questions you toss make Larry King look like Mike Wallace in his prime and I can’t get over the feeling you’re star struck by these GOP presidential candidates.Ã‚Â

I glad Jon has newfound respect for Jay Leno and David Letterman, but its a mustard & strawberries comparison.Ã‚Â

If you must continue, ask them about their flip flops from previously liberal positions.Ã‚Â Ask about how their views differ from yours.Ã‚Â Ask them to explain how they are best to represent the conservative point of view.Ã‚Â And always remember, these people are no different than any of us.Ã‚Â I’d be happy to handle the questions for you.

Actually, you don’t appreciate a difference of opinion, and I see that sarcasm is lost as well. Thanks for stopping by.

Publius

March 27, 2007 at 4:17 pm

Fleischman is infamous in political circles for his inablity to stand any sort of criticism. I was wondering how long it would take him to whine here.
None of what Dan said was out of line, or rude, or personal as far as I can tell.
So until Jon finds a way to prevent non-fans from viewing his site, I appreciate Dan’s regular summaries, so I don’t have to check it.
Thanks!

Jim Bieber

March 27, 2007 at 7:06 pm

To the two dippy liberals throwing rocks at Jon Fleischman. You can pick up a camera at Best Buy for $500Ã¢â‚¬â€œ you have half a dozen Democrat presidential candidates to interview and post at the OC Liberal Ã¢â‚¬â€œ oh wait. No, you can not pull that off let alone be accused of asking soft questions.

Ã¢â‚¬Å“Fleischman is infamous in political circles for his inablity to stand any sort of criticism. I was wondering how long it would take him to whine here.Ã¢â‚¬Â Where did you pull that from? IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve known Jon for 20 years Ã¢â‚¬â€œ his skinÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s as think as it comes.

To summarize:

1. You do not have the talent, capability or importance to interview ANY presidential candidate.

2. You just make up crap as Ã¢â‚¬ËœfactÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ to attack people who are not on your side of the fence.

Flowerszzz

March 27, 2007 at 8:27 pm

Dan – I think it’s funny that you posted that smack on Jon, sounds like you have some envy going on. Let anyone know when you get an interview set up with some front runners, or any runners on your side of the aisle. What – oh wait – smack – they wont return your calls…..lol.

Anonymous

March 27, 2007 at 8:45 pm

Jon has thin skin…and likes to blog under floral blankets in bed.

Charlie Brown

March 27, 2007 at 8:56 pm

Democratic candidates don’t pay as much attention to Orange County, and when they do they are usually just asking for $$.

Dan Chmielewski

March 27, 2007 at 9:43 pm

I don’t know Publicis and only made my first Drinking Liberally last week where I met most of this blogpen for the first time.
Jim — I was a radio reporter at a station in Upstate NY. I have intereviewed Sen. Bill Bradley, Sen. Alphonse D’Amato (a real jerk BTW), Sen. Gary Hart (in ’84 not ’88 dammit), Maureen Reagan (a sweet lady), and Jody Powell (who ripped me a new one for the question I asked on the 1980 election BTW). I’d covered Mario Cuomo press conferences but wasn’t called on. Since moving here, I’ve met Hillary Clinton, Chris Cox and Loretta Sanchez; no trouble talking with any of them.

Talent and capacity to interview any president candidate? I’d be arrogant to say I’m talented in that way, but capacity (meaning the ability to do it) isn’t a problem. I’d have no trouble asking any presidential candidate a tough question and certainly wouldn’t get like a doughy-eyed schoolgirl doing it.

Importance? I’d say with all the noise we’re generating from the moonbats on the right, that this blog is gaining importance daily. And thanks for posting.

And as for point number 2, making up crap as “fact” to attack people not on your side of the fence? Hold up a mirror. That’s been a Republican tactic since Lee Atwater days. I didn’t make up a thing; go to Jon’s videos and watch them for yourself and tell me if there’s a single tough question in there. I personally love how Rudy finishes his sentences for him.

My offer stands; if Jon wants a list of questions to ask the next presidential candidate he videotapes, I’m happy to offer them up.

Northcountystorm

March 27, 2007 at 11:50 pm

Fleishman’s softball sessions with Giuliani & Romney remind me of the “interviews’ done Saturday mornings where companies have paid for 30 minutes of time and hawk their products.

Fleishman rips Democrats all the time on his blog–but can’t take a punch on his glass jaw.

Nice job Dan.

Jim Bieber

March 28, 2007 at 11:35 am

Dan:

Thanks for the bio on your political/media background.

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll go out on a limb and share mine-

I WAS able to bench press 300lbs. I AM able to throw a descent round house kick.

I once MET Dan Henderson and Tito Ortez .

This upcoming year I know for A FACT that I will NOT be competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

No, life has passed me by and as much as I know about Mixed Martial Arts I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have the skill or ability to enter the Ã¢â‚¬ËœOctagonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ maybe/probably I never could have been a contender.

So instead I compete in Ã¢â‚¬ËœsoftÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Jiu Jitsu tournaments where thereÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s no striking only submissions. When IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m in a bar with friends watching a fight weÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll all scream advice to the TV, he Ã¢â‚¬Å“he should have kept his guard up, he should have gone for a leg lock, he should have..Ã¢â‚¬Â ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s life Ã¢â‚¬â€œ I know where I am on the fighting food chain.

You have every right to bitch about JonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s interview Ã¢â‚¬â€œ too soft? You bet, I would have gone after Rudy on 3 Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 4 issues. But then again I was screaming at Sean Hannity when he gave Ã¢â‚¬Ëœexcuse questionsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ to Rudy about Gay Rights. I would have done a better job grilling him BUT then again Rudy isnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t and will never be across from me at a desk getting interviewed. The only Ã¢â‚¬Ëœhard questionsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ you so deesperatly want come from Sunday morning news shows.

So whatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s the point of my personal story?

I would never go online to blast a fighter and tell him how he screwed up or have the audacity to suggest that he have me in his fight corner so I could give him advice or coach him. That guy deserves to be in the ring, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m just an armature who never really competed at his level. WhatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s my opinion worth?

There are two guys who watch sports; the guy who yells out Ã¢â‚¬Å“he should have done xxÃ¢â‚¬Â and the jerk who yells out Ã¢â‚¬Å“I would haveÃ¢â‚¬Â You are in a category all to yourself. You are calling the coach on the phone suggesting that he allow you onto the field to help craft plays.

So rethink calling out Jon making him Ã¢â‚¬Å“offersÃ¢â‚¬Â it just makes you look silly. I hope that youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll be able to match JonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s ability to interview Democrat Presidential candidates and post them on you blog so I can criticize your questions. The ONLY thing that separates us is that I wonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t be critiziing you or calling you names for not using my ‘hard hitting’ questions.

Dan Chmielewski

March 28, 2007 at 12:08 pm

Jim — in all due respect, if I get a chance to interview any Democratic candidate, especially leading up to primary season, what makes you think I wouldn’t ask a tough question? These people are competing for my vote and I would put them on the spot.

And I’m not sure if the ultimate fighting references are supposed to scare me or not; kind of reminds of of Al Bundy telling every one he once played High School Football. I coach girls soccer (U8) which I’d argue is tougher than Ultimate Fighting anyday (especially when the goalie needs a hug).

I find great amusement in this statement: “I would never go online to blast a fighter and tell him how he screwed up or have the audacity to suggest that he have me in his fight corner so I could give him advice or coach him. That guy deserves to be in the ring, IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m just an amatuer who never really competed at his level. WhatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s my opinion worth?” Which is exactly what I think you’re doing to me right now….blasting my criticism of Jon’s soft questions while admitting he asked soft questions. So does this mean you agree with me?

You questioned my capacity to do the same thing Jon does and I’m telling you I can, could and have. I do agree that Hannity throws Softballs to Republican candidates as well. Sunday talk shows? Dominated by Republicans…Meda Matters has a documented report on that should you care to search their website.

If Jon gets an interview with a Democratic candidate, I’m happy to offer some tough questions on that as well. I can bet he’ll have his fastball out for that interview…..

– No the snide point I was making is that we share something in common being out of our leagues to criticize (let alone demand advise be taken) for someone who actually in the ring Ã¢â‚¬â€œ fighting or the political ring interviewing several Presidential candidates. Say your last comment “if I get a chance to interview” out loud a few times to let it sink in Ã¢â‚¬â€œ that is the point Ã¢â‚¬Å“ifÃ¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬Å“IFÃ¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬Å“IF OnlyÃ¢â‚¬Â¦Ã¢â‚¬Â Your “If” isn’t going to happen any more than Al Bundy scoring another goal. I Know I won’t submit anyone in the UFC.

“Which is exactly what I think youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re doing to me right nowÃ¢â‚¬Â¦.blasting my criticism of JonÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s soft questions ”

Correct: the differance is I’m just taking shots at your comments and I could do EXACTLY what you are doing – no skill or talent necessary. Look – I’m doing it right now – and again.

Dan Chmielewski

March 28, 2007 at 4:19 pm

Jim — I haven’t formally requested any interviews with Dem candidates for President; happy to let you know when I do. I think there’s lots of time between now and next February. And whether or not I do so is immaterial. Jon is a party official being sought after for his endorsement by these same candidates he is .. interviewing, hence the time and access being given to him. And as a “publisher” of the Flash Report, Jon is fair game for media criticism and as a party official.

A quick point: the calling in plays to the coach analogy you threw out is something Richard Nixon did about three different times (for Super Bowl V and VI, and a Redskins Cowboys game); he favored a down-and-in pass.

You can take all the shots you want at me; I don’t care. But I’m critical a guy who wants the governor to fire a competent COS simply because she’s a Democrat, has referred to Democratic candiates for state office as clowns, and openly praised the defeat of an incumbent Liberal Republican in a Michigan congressional seat because he wasn’t conservative enough. He’s someone good at throwing people under the bus.

Out of our leagues? Mmmm. I think media criticism is a valid role for blogs like this one. Jon isn’t alone. I have criticized (and praised) Steven Greenhut, Frank Mickadeit, Matt Cunningham and even Chuck DeVore for their writings and will do so again.

I am a Registered Democrat. I have no formal ties to the Party nationally or locally and I don’t derive my income from politics. And I have never said Jon has thin-skin. Politics is a contact sport and if I’m factually inaccurate, on anything I write, I’d expect to be corrected and I would correct any mistake. But the days of straight, unchallenged Republican talking points being pushed out as Gospel are over.

There are a lot of movie critics who will never act in or direct a movie. Does that make their criticism less valid? Would I respect Ebert & Roeper if they gave “two thumbs up” to “THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2″?

And back to the original point of my post. Jon serves up softballs to these candidates (though I suspect he’ll give McCain are harder time). And to prove it, let’s go to the videotape on his site or on YouTube. If you think I’m full of it, fine. I won’t lose a wink of sleep over it. Always happy to have another reader.

Dan Chmielewski

March 28, 2007 at 5:37 pm

And Jim .. it is humorous as all hell to be lectured to on political criticism by someone who produces political attack mailers for a living. So its OK that you do it because its what you’re paid to do and not OK for me to do it because I’m not in the arena? I realize attack ads aren’t your only business, but you put them up on your website for all to see.